Mississippi Kites Hatch 1st D.C. Chick as Range Expansion Reaches the Capital
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 20
Mississippi Kites Hatch 1st D.C. Chick as Range Expansion Reaches the Capital
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 20
Summary
A pair of Mississippi kites has successfully nested in Northeast Washington and raised the first known chick of the species in the District, with the hatchling likely emerging in early July.
D.C. wildlife biologist Dan Rauch said the breeding milestone reflects a northward range expansion driven by growing populations, adaptation to urban and suburban habitats, and long-term gains after DDT was banned.
The birds returned in May to a 50-foot-high oak tree in Woodridge, where local birders have watched the adults reinforce the nest, trade hunting duties and feed the chick.
The chick appears healthy and is expected to fledge by mid-August, turning a rare sighting first spotted last summer by 15-year-old Sam Talley into a new breeding record for the city.